2026 FIFA World Cup Ticketing: A Guide to the Visa Pre-Sale and Beyond

The 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket window is about to open, with Visa cardholders entering a pre-sale draw for all 104 games from Sept. 10-19. Canadians can also enter a separate lottery for Canada Soccer's ticket allotment through the CanadaRed supporters group. Tickets range from $82 to $9,200, with prices subject to change based on demand. Fans can purchase up to four tickets per game for up to 10 matches.

The much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket window is set to open, with a pre-sale draw for all 104 games from September 10 to 19. This multi-phase process, detailed by FIFA, offers several avenues for fans to secure their seats. The pre-sale draw, open to Visa cardholders, is the first step, followed by a similar lottery for non-Visa cardholders and a final "first-come-first-served" phase in the spring.

Canadian fans have an additional opportunity through the CanadaRed supporters group, which will host a separate lottery for Canada Soccer's ticket allotment. Tickets are priced between $82 and $9,200, with prices subject to change based on demand. Fans can purchase up to four tickets per game for up to 10 matches.

The ticketing process is designed to provide multiple entry points, ensuring a fair distribution of tickets. FIFA will operate its own resale platform within its ticketing website and app, offering a trustworthy secondary market. Popular resale sites like StubHub are also advertising tickets, but FIFA's decision not to cap prices on its own platform should keep most sellers and buyers within the FIFA ticketing ecosystem.

Hospitality packages, which include match tickets, are already on sale, costing thousands of dollars per person. Additionally, FIFA typically allocates thousands of tickets per match to the two participating nations, with their national soccer federations selling and distributing these tickets to their registered fans.

The first official purchases of tickets will happen in October for successful applicants in the pre-sale draw, while non-Visa cardholders can apply from around October 27. The World Cup draw on December 5 will provide the first opportunity to secure seats for specific matchups. Until then, fans are buying tickets for games between unknown opponents.

To prepare for ticket sales, fans can register their interest with FIFA and create a FIFA ID for future purchases. The ticketing system will process a $0.00 charge to ensure only Visa cardholders enter the first lottery. In subsequent phases, other cards or payment methods can be used.

The 2026 World Cup ticket prices are expected to surpass those of the 2022 World Cup, with the highest price for the final starting at $6,730. Prices will be subject to dynamic pricing, adapting based on demand and remaining inventory.

Fans should be aware that the ticket delivery process differs from traditional U.S. sports ticketing. Tickets will be loaded into the app at a later stage, closer to gameday, to prevent illegal duplication and restrict the resale market.

The 2026 World Cup promises an exciting event, with multiple phases and options for ticket acquisition. Fans should stay informed and prepared as the ticketing process unfolds.

References:
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6593924/2025/09/03/world-cup-2026-tickets-how-to-buy/